Clutch and brake control for knitting machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Or Om iv an so o mm F. LAMBACH ET AL INVENTORS FRlTZLHMBHCH m ATTORNEY WHHHHHH AWHHH HIH BY WQLTER $lE.GEL

aw EL Jan. 29, 1957 CLUTCH AND BRAKE CONTROL FOR KNITTING MACHINE FiledMarch 1, 1951 Jan. 29, 1957 'F. LAMBACH ETAL 2,779,443

CLUTCH AND BRAKE CONTROL FOR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March l, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 2 u m8 INVENTORS FRITZ LFIMBHCH J ,IIIF

WALTER SIEGEL BY [46 35 144 m ATTORNEY Jan. 29, 1957 F. LAMBACH ETALCLUTCH AND BRAKE CONTROL FOR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 3 BRAKE MAGNET CLUTCH MAGNET 12W 'EXTORS FRITZ LQMBFICIHWFILTER SIEGEL ATTORNEY AND Jan. 29, 1957 F. LAMBACH ET AL 2,779,448

CLUTCH AND BRAKE CONTROL FOR KNITTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledMarch 1, 1951 1 I I I I Y I 1 l I I 1 l m9 av Ezw z H wzm H 5295 utju @wm: w: l 1 @Q @Q wm i g H fi H A OQQ IN V EN TORS Unite States PatentOCLUTCH AND BRAKE CONTROL FOR KNHTTING MACHINE Fritz Lambach, Tenaily,andWalterSiegel, North Bergen, N. .J., assignors toRobertReiner, Inc,Weehawken,

Application March 1, 1951, Serial No. 213,442

9 Claims. (Cl..192-144) I. This-inventionrelates to knittingmachines,and more particularly to an arrangement for stopping aknitting machine.at a predetermined position of. the knitting cycle.

An object of the present invention is. to provide an arrangement forstopping a knittingmachine'at a predetermined position of the knittingcycle with great accuracy.

. Another object the invention. is to equip. an arrangementfor stoppinga knittingmachine at a. predetermined position of theknitting cycle withauxiliary means permitting the stopping of the knitting machine at anydesired position of the knitting cycle during the performance of aninching or jogging operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide. a knitting -machinewithanautomatic release of thebrake after .:the .;machine has been stopped,5011112111 the main shaft of the machine can be manually rotated, if sodesired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electricalcontrol system for controlling: electrical .means of a knitting machineso as to obtain a stopping of the machine at a predetermined position ofthe knitting cycle.

. Another object of the invention is. to improve on the art of warpknitting machinesas now customarily made. Other objects and structuraldetails of the invention ..will be apparent from the followingdescription when y 1 read in junction with the accompanyingdrawings,forming part of this specification, wherein:

i .Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view of a warp knitting machine,illustrating an electromagnetic clutch-brake unit t and a timing switch,attached to. the end of the main cam shaft,

Fig. 2 illustrates the relative position of the needles, sinker andguides of the warp knitting machine at a a predetermined position of theknitting cycle, when the .needles are approximately in their lowermostposition,

' Pig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the timing switch,

Fig. 4 isan end view, partly in section, of the timing switch shown inFig. 3, said end viewbeing seen in the direction of the arrows 4 of Fig.3, the end cover, however, being removed, 7

Big. 5]. illustrates a wiring diagram of. an electrical system forcontrolling the clutch and brake of the warp knitting machine, and

c Fig. 6 illustrates adifferent embodimentof a wiring diagram of anelectrical system for the control otthe clutch and brake of the warpknitting machine.

Referringnow to Fig. 1, 10 indicates amain, cam ,shaft of a warpknitting machine, bearing a seriesof earns, only two cams 12 and14being, shown. .Cam 12 cooperates with a roller 16 carried by a camfollower 18, which, in a manner known per-: se, is connected 'thrOugh alinkage with a needle, bar. 20 (seeliig, 2)

carrying the. needles. 22.

.ASL WI! in .F lithe main; camshaft 9 isioumal in a-bearing 24 arrangedin the frame zfi. of, .theywarp knitting machine. The right-handendlasstewed in shown).

2,779,448 Patented Jan. 29, 1957 Fig. 1) of the main shaft. 10 projectsfrom; the frameu26. A clutch-brake unit generallyindicated by 28 ismounted on theprojectingend of the main shaft 10.

.A bushing. 30of this clutch-brake unit 28 isrigidly connected with themain shaft 10 by means of a key32.

..A body 34 arranged. on this bushing 30 is rigidly connected with thelatter by means of a screw .36. A ring 38 secured to the body 34 by aseries of screws 40 (only 1 one being shown), carries the magnet 42 ofthe clutch portion of the unit 28. A ring 44 carrying the armature 46'ofthe clutch portion of the unit 28 is rigidly connected with the hub 48of a pulley 50 by a series of screws 52 (only one being shown). Thepulley 48 is rotatably arranged onjthe main shaft 10 through the mediumof a ball-bearing generally indicated by 54. The pulley 50 isoperatiyely connected through a series of belts 56 with a p ulley 58(see Fig. 5) carried by the shaft 60 of the main motor 62.

As shown in Big. 1, a ring 64 carrying the armature 66-of the brakeportion of the unit 2$ is rigidly con- -nected with the body 34 by meansof a series of screws 68 (only one being shown).

A magnet 70 of the brake portion of the unit 28 is mounted on a ring 72attached to another ring 74 by .means of a series of screws 76 (only oneof them being The ring 74, in turn, is attached to the frame 26 of themachine by means of screws 76 (only one being shown).

Current may be supplied to the clutch. magnet 42 by ,.means ofwires'tid. (only one wire being shown), connected with contact rings ofa collector ring 82 which,

in turn, are in contact with brushes emanating from a Wiring terminal 83.

magnet 70 is deenergized, the clutch aramature 46 is attracted andpositively engaged with the clutch magnet 42, so that the rotatingpulley 5t) driven by the main motor 62 causes a rotation. of the maincam shaft 19 through the medium of the energized clutch magnet, the body34 and the. bushing 30. Themagnet 42 is termed hereinafter the firstelectrical control means associated with the clutch; it will be seenthat the magnet 42 when de-energized disengages the driven memberorarmature 46. of the clutch and therefore the power drive formed by themain motor,62j, from the main shaft 16.

When the brake magnet 7% termed hereinafter the second electricalcontrol means is energized and the clutch magnet .42 is deenergized, thebrake armature 66 is attracted to the stationary brake magnet 70,whereby the main cam shaft 10 is stopped through the medium of the body34andthe bushing 39.

As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 a bracket 88 secured to the frame 26 byscrews 99 carries a ring 92 of insulating material surrpunding a timingswitch assembly, generally indicated by 94. The ring 92 is secured tothe bracket 88 by means of screws $3. A cover 9 6and a cover 98 areattached by screws to this ring 92 on each side thereof.

Arias 1 of in u at n mat ri l is pl redn t e end of the main cam shaft10. The timing switchessembly 94- pQlllPllSQS. a disc 1620f insulatingmaterial h v n a in e t =14IE Withths n su f s sfst -s aft 0 a s1... a r.1. 0- Th .n tsrialis pr dgia 9 s q isitl rtith ea agii isc 1 02 ofinsulating .grsoyci flfiireesitin a in .lQS f andui ti e ti Furthermore,the disc 102 of insulating materia.

vided at its opposite side with a groove receiving a ring-sector 112 ofconductive material. As best shown in Fig. 4, a portion 114 of the disc102 of insulating material remains between the ends 116 of thering-sector 112. If desired, however, the groove 110 could be in theshape of an angular groove and a separate piece of insulating materialcould be inserted into this groove between the ends 116 of thering-sector 112 and could be held in place by a screw or the like. Thering 108 and the ring-sector 112 are connected with each other and tothe disc 102 by means of screws of conductive material passing throughbores of the disc 102. Furthermore, the disc 102 has a center bore 120.

A setting element 122 having a hexagonal configuration is rigidlyconnected with a disc 102 by means of a screw 124. This setting element122 is provided with a center bore 126 registering with the center boreoi the disc 102.

The threaded end of a tightening bolt 128 passing through the bores 120and 126 of the disc 102 and setting body 122 is screwed into a threadedbore 130 of the main cam shaft 10 extending in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the latter. A pair of washers 132, 134 is placedbetween the head of the tightening bolt 128 and the setting body 122.

A brush or contact element 136 inserted into a radial bore 138 of thering 92 of insulating material is in contacting engagement with thecircumference of the ring 108 of conductive material. A second brush orcontacting element 140 inserted into a bore 142 of the ring 92 ofinsulating material is in contacting engagement with the circumferenceof the ring-sector 112 of conductive material and with the circumferenceof the portion 114 of insulating material respectively. The end of awire 144 passing through a bore 146 of the ring 92 is connected with thebrush 136 by soldering, for example, and the end of a wire 148 alsopassing through this bore 146 is connected with the brush 140, bysoldering for example.

As will be readily understood, as long as the brush 140 is in contactwith the ring-sector 112 of conductive material, current may flow fromthe wire 144 through the brush 136, the ring 108, the screws 118, theringsector 112 and the brush 140 to the wire 148. If, however, the brush140 is in contacting engagement with the circumference of the portion114 of insulating material, the flow of current is interrupted.

In a manner to be described hereinafter the wires 144 and 148 arearranged in a circuit for causing a deenergization of the clutch magnet42 and an energization of the brake magnet 70 at the moment when thecircuit is interrupted upon a contact of the brush 140 with theinterrupting element 114 of insulating material. As said before, thisdeenergization of the clutch magnet and energization of the brake magnetresults in a stopping of the main cam shaft. The position of the maincam shaft. in turn is in direct relation to the knitting cycle, so thatby a proper setting of the disc 102 relative to the main cam shaft 10the operation of the machine can be stopped at a predetermined positionof the knitting cycle, for example, but not limited thereto, when theneedles 22 (see Fig. 2) are in approximately their lowermost position,wherein they are moved away from the guides 150, so that the latter arereadily accessible for threading.

In order to set the disc 102 in its proper relation to the main camshaft 10, which depends on the speed at which the operation of themachine shall be stopped, the tightening bolt 128 is somewhat loosened,whereupon the setting body 122 together with the disc 102 securedthereto may be rotated relative to the main shaft 10, until the properrelative position between the disc 102 and the main shaft 10 isobtained. Thereafter, this position may be secured by tightening thetightening bolt 128.

The electric control system for the clutch-brake unit 28 is shown inFig. 5.

Two lines of a polyphase circuit 152 including the main motor 62 and amain switch 154 are connected by lines 156 with the primary coil of atransformer 158. The polyphase circuit 152 is interconnected to anetwork 160 which is fed by an electric source (not shown).

The secondary coil of the transformer 158 is connected by lines 162, 164with terminals 166 and 168 respectively of a rectifier 170. An actuatingcircuit 172 having in series a clutch control switch 174, an adjustableresistor 176 and the clutch magnet 42 is connected with the terminals178 and 180 respectively of the rectifier 170.

A circuit branch 182 having in series a brake control switch 184, abrake release switch 186, an adjustable resistor 188 and the brakemagnet 70 is connected in parallel with the clutch control switch 174and clutch magnet 42.

The clutch control switch 174, the brake control switch 184 and aholding switch are rigidly connected with the armature of a main relay192. The brake release switch 186 is rigidly connected with the armatureof a time delay relay 194. The main relay 192, the time delay relay 194,having a short circuit ring 195, and a second time delay relay 196 arearranged in a controlling circuit 198 having in series a spring-loadedstart switch 208 and a spring-loaded stop switch 202 having a firstterminal 202' and a second terminal 202". This controlling circuit 198is connected with the secondary coil of the transformer 158 through thelines 162 and 164 respectively.

The holding switch 190 is arranged in a holding circuit 204 connected inparallel with the start switch 200.

A circuit branch 206, 144, 148, 208 comprising in series the timingswitch 94 and a restraining switch 210 carried by the armature of thetime delay relay 196 having a short circuit ring 197 is connected inparallel with the stop switch 202. The time delay relay 194 is designedfor an immediate closing of the brake release switch 186 uponenergization and for an opening of this brake release switch 186 onlyafter a time interval of, for example, one second upon deenergization.

The time delay relay 1% is designed for closing the interrupter switch210 after a time interval of, for example, two seconds upon energizationand for an immediate opening of the interrupter switch 210 upondeenergization.

When the knitting machine is at a standstill, the various switches arein the position shown in Fig. 5, i. e. the main switch 154 is open, thestart switch 200 is held in open position by its spring, the stop switchis held in a closed position by its spring, and the relays 192, 194, 196are deenergized, so that the brake release switch 186, the clutchcontrol switch 1'74, the holding switch 1% and the restraining switch218 are open while the brake control switch 184 is closed.

Upon closing of the main switch 154, the main motor 62 is energized, sothat the pulley 50 of the clutch brake unit 28 is rotated through themedium of the belts 56. The main shaft 10 of the knitting machine,however, is not yet rotated, as the clutch control switch 174 is stillopen, thus holding the clutch magnet 42 in deenergized condition.

Upon closing the start switch 200 against the action of its spring, thecontrolling circuit 198 is closed, whereby the relays 192, 194 and 1%are energized. The energization of the main relay 192 causes animmediate closing of the holding switch 190 and the clutch controlswitch 174 and an immediate opening of the brake control switch 184. Theenergization of the relay 194 causes an immediate closing of the brakerelease switch 186. The energization of the time delay relay 1%,however, causes a closing of the restraining switch 210 only after apre' determined time interval, for example after'two seconds.

Owing to the closing of the holding switch 19ll, the controlling circuit198 remains closed and fthe-energization of the relays 192, .194 and 196continues upon a release of the spring-loaded start switch 200.

The closing of the clutch control switch 174 causes a closing of theactuating circuit 172, whereby the clutch magnet 42 is energized, sothat its armature 46 (see Fig. l) is attracted and, consequently, themain cam shaft 10 is rotated by the rotating pulley 50.

Assume now, that the knitting machine is running for a period of time,more than the time (of, for example, two seconds) set for closing therestraining switch 211 by the time delay relay 196.

Now, when the stop switch 202 is opened against the action of itsspring, while the timing switch 94 is in a position as shown in thedrawings wherein current may flow from the wire 144 to the wire 148, thecontrolling circuit including the relays 192, 194, 196 is still closed,as current may flow from therectifier terminal 166 through the circuitbranch 296, 144, 148, 2198 and holding circuit 2%. Therefore, the clutchmagnet 42 remains energized and the brake magnet 7%) remainsdeenergized, so that the main cam shaft stillrotates, although the stopswitchZtiZ has been opened for presetting the clutch magnet 42 and brakemagnet 7i! in condition for actuation.

However, as soon as the disc 102 of the timing switch 94 reaches aposition wherein itstinterrupting element 114 of insulating materialcomes into engagement with the brush 140, the controlling circuit isinterrupted by this timing switch with the result that the relays 192,194 and 1% are deenergized. The deenergization of the main relay 192causes an immediate opening of the clutch control switch 174, wherebythe clutch magnet 42 is deenergized; furthermore, the deenergization ofthe main relay 192 causes an immediate closing of the brake controlswitch 184, whereby the brake magnet 70 is energized; at the time ofthis closing of the brake control switch 184 the brake release switch186 is still closed, as the deenergization of the time delay relay 194causes an opening of this brake release switch 186 only after apredetermined time interval of, for example, one second. Thus, the maincam shaft 1% is disconnected from the main motor 62 and is immediatelystopped by the electromagnetic brake 7h, 66. It will be readily understood, that the timing switch 94 thus controls the initiation of theclutch magnet 42 and brake magnet 76, both preset by the opening of thestop switch 292 in condi tion for actuation. Thus, the disengagement ofthe clutch coupling members of the clutch occurs at a predeterminedangular position of the main cam shaft 16, and the latter is stopped bythe electromagnet brake at a prede termined position of the knittingcycle when, for example, the needles 22 are in the position shown inFig. 2. it is understood, that, depending on the set relative positionbetween the timing switch 94 and the main cam shaft 113 the latter maybe stopped at any desired position of the knitting cycle which must notnecessarily be the position shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, if forknitting a certain type of fabric with a certain quality of yarns theknitting machine shall run at a higher or lower speed than during aprevious operation, the relative positionbetween the timing switch andthe main cam shaft lit may be readily reset by the mechanism describedabove, so that the main shaft 10 is stopped by the brake in the sameposition as during the previous operation.

The arrangement for stopping the main cam shaft operates with greataccuracy, as the masses of the permanently rotating motor 62 and pulley50 do not have to be retarded by the brake.

Of course, above described deener'gization of the main 'elay 192 causesalso an opening of the holding switch 1%.

Of course, if at the time of opening the stop switch 262 the timingswitch 94 is in such a position that the interruptor portion 114 ofinsulating. material .-is tent gagementwith theibrush-l ttl, the clutchmagnet 42sis immediately deenergized and the brake magnet 70is-immediately energized upon opening of the stop switch, as now thecontrolling circuit is also interrupted byttheiti-ming switch 94.

As soon as upon the deenergization of the time delay relay 194 after apredetermined period sulficient for stopping the main cam shaft, thebrake release switch 186 is opened, the brake magnet 70 is againdeenergized with the result that now the main camshaft may berotated byhand, if so desired.

The variable resistors 176 and 188 serve to adjust the actuation of theclutch magnet 42 and brake magnet 70 respectively.

Assume now, that an inching or jogging operation of the machine shall becarried out. In such an event the stop switch 2&2 is opened shortlyafter the closing and release of the start switch 200 and the procedureof closing the start switch 200 releasing same and opening the stopswitch 2tl2 maybe repeated several timesuntil the knitting implementsare in a desired relative position. The opening of the stop switch 202after the closingn and release of the start switch 200 takes placewithin a short time, less than for example two seconds, the timerequired for closing the restraining switch210 by the time delay relay196 upon an energization of the latter by the closing of the controllingcircuit 198.

Thus, when the stop switch 202 is opened, the circuit branch 206, 144,148, 2&8 is interrupted by the restraining switch 210, irrespective ofthe condition of the timing switch. In other words, the open restrainingswitch 21% restrains the timing switch from becoming effective and theopening of the stop switch 202 causes immediately an interruption of thecontrolling circuit 193 with the result of an immediate deenergizationof the relays 1%, 194 and 196, so that the clutch magnet 42 isimmediately deenergized and the brake magnet 70 is immediately energizedfor stopping the machine.

According to the embodiment of a control system shown in Fig. 6, thearrangement of the various electrical devices in the actuating circuit172, in the circuit branch 182, in the controlling circuit 193% and inthe circuit branchZtid, 144i, 148, 2%, which is the same as describedabove in connection with the system shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, thevarious circuits are connected with each other in the same manner asdescribed in connection with the system shown in Fig. 5. However,contrary to the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the controlling circuit 1%is also connected with the terminals 178 and 18%) of the rectifier, sothat D. C. is supplied to the relays 192, 194 and 1%, whereby theconsistency of action of these relays is improved.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. 6 corresponds entirely to theoperation of the system shown in Fig. 5 and does not require a detaileddescription thereof.

We have described preferred e :lbodiments of our invention, but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration andthat various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangementof parts,

as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those, hereinshown and described may be made without departing rorn the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

For example, the arrangement and system for stopping the machine is notrestricted to the application of a warp knitting machine, it might alsobe applied to a different type of knitting machine.

Furthermore, instead of using a clutch-brake unit of the electromagnetictype as shown inthc drawings, different types of clutches and/ or brakescapable of operation by electrical means could be used.

Moreover, the .timing switch 94 must not necessarily be arranged on themain cam shaft of theknitting machine; the timing switch could also bedriven by a dif ferent element of the machine, the operation of which,of course, must be in a definite relation to the knitting cycle.

Furthermore, instead of a rectifier 170 different types of electricalmeans for converting A. C. into D. C. could be used. In the event ofsupplying all circuits of the electrical control system with D. C., asillustrated by Fig. 6, a converter could be entirely omitted and thecircuits could be supplied with current from a D. C. network,

What we claim isi 1-. In a knitting machine, the combination with apower drive, a rotatable main shaft, a clutch electrically actuable forreleasably interconnecting said power drive and said main shaft, and anelectrically actuable releasable brake on said shaft, of electricalcontrol means comprising: a controlling circuit and an actuating circuitinterconnected to an electric source, said actuating circuit comprisinga first branch having in series connection actuating means for saidclutch and a clutch control switch normally closed during operation ofsaid machine, and a second branch arranged in parallelwith said firstbranch and having in series brake actuating means and a brake controlswitch normally open during operation of said machine, said controllingcircuit comprising a first circuit portion having in series a startswitch for closing said first circuit portion and a stop switch foropening the same and being biased towards closure position, and relaymeans for said brake control switch and for said clutch control switchof said actuating circuit, and a second circuit portion in parallel withthat part of said first circuit portion which includes said stop switch,said second circuit portion including a timing switch being operable forperiodically interrupting said second circuit portion and being indriven connection from said main shaft. I p

2. In a knitting machine as claimed in claim i, said electric sourcebeing a source of alternating current, a rectifier connected to saidelectric source, and at least one of said circuits being connected tosaid rectifier for receiving therefrom direct current,

3 In a knitting machine as claimed in claim 1, said electric sourcebeing a source of alternating current, a rectifier connected to saidelectric source, said actuating circuit being connected to saidrectifier for receiving therefrom direct current, and said controllingcircuit being connected to said electric source for receivingalternating current therefrom.

4. In a knitting machine the combination with a power drive, a rotatablemain shaft, a clutch electrically actuable for releasablyinterconnecting said power drive and said main shaft, and anelectrically actuable releasable brake on said shaft, of electricalcontrol means comprising: a controlling circuit and an actuating circuitinterconnected to an electric source, said actuating circuit comprisinga first branch having in series connection actuating means for saidclutch and a clutch control switch normally closed during operation ofsaid machine, and a second branch arranged in parallel with said firstbranch and having in series brake actuating means and a brake controlswitch normally open during operation of said machine, said controllingcircuit comprising a first circuit portion having in series a startswitch for closing said first circuit portion and a stop switch foropening the same and being biased towards closure position, and relaymeans for said brake control switch and for said clutch control switchof said actuating circuit, a second circuit portion in parallel withthat part of said first circuit portion which includes said stop switch,said second circuit portion including a timing switch being operable forperiodically interrupting said second circuit portion and being indriven connection from said main shaft, a brake release switch connectedin series with said brake control switch in said second branch, saidbrake release switch being normally closed during operation of themachine and including a mechanism for delayed opening, and a relay forsaid Cir brake release switch being interconnected with said relay meansin said first circuit portion.

5. In a knitting machine the combination with a power drive, a rotatablemain shaft, a clutch electrically actuable for releasablyinterconnecting said power drive and said main shaft, and anelectrically actuable releasable brake on said shaft, of electricalcontrol means comprising: a controlling circuit and an actuating circuitinterconnected to an electric source, said actuating circuit comprisinga first branch having in series connection actuating means for saidclutch and a clutch control switch normally closed during operation ofsaid machine, and a second branch arranged in parallel with said firstbranch and having in series brake actuating means and a brake controlswitch normally open during operation of said machine, said controllingcircuit comprising a first circuit portion having in series a startswitch for closing said first circuit portion and a stop switch foropening the same and being biased towards closure position, and relaymeans for said brake control switch and for said clutch control switchof said actuating circuit, and a second circuit portion in parallel withthat part of said first circuit portion which includes said stop switch,said second circuit portion including a timing switch being operable forperiodically interrupting said second circuit portion and being indriven connec tion from said main shaft, a restraining switch connectedin series with said' timing switch in said second circuit portion, saidrestraining switch being normally closed during continued operation ofthe machine and including a mechanism for delayed closing, and a relayfor said restraining switch being connected with said relay means insaid first circuit portion.

6. In a knitting machine the combination with a power drive, a rotatablemain shaft, a clutch electrically actuablc for releasablyinterconnecting said power drive and said main shaft, and anelectrically actuable releasable brake on said shaft, of electricalcontrol means comprising: a controlling circuit and an actuating circuitinterconnected to an electric source, said actuating circuit comprisinga first branch having in series connection actuating means for saidclutch and a clutch control switch normally closed during operation of.said machine, and a second branch arranged in parallel with said firstbranch and having in series brake actuating means and a brake controlswitch normally open during operation of said machine, said controllingcircuit comprising a first circuit portion having in series a startswitch for closing said first circuit portion and a stop switch foropening the same and being biased towards closure position, and relaymeans for said brake control switch and for said clutch control switchof said actuating circuit, and a second circuit portion in parallel withthat part of said first circuit portion which includes said stop switch,said second circuit portion including a timing switch being operable forperiodically interrupting said second circuit portion and being indriven connection from said main shaft, a brake release switch connectedin series with said brake control switch in said second branch, saidbrake release switch being normally closed during operation of themachine and including a mechanism for delayed opening, a first relay forsaid brake release switch being interconnected with said relay means insaid first circuit portion, a restraining switch connected in serieswith said timing switch in said second circuit portion, said restrainingswitch being normally closed during continued operation of the machineand including a mechanism for delayed closing, and a second relay forsaid restraining switch being connected with said relay means in saidfirst circuit portion. 7

7. In a knitting machine the combination with a power drive, a rotatablemain shaft, a clutch electrically actuablc for releasablyinterconnecting said power drive and said main shaft, and anelectrically actuable releasable brake on said shaft, of electricalcontrol means comprising: a controlling circuit and an actuating circuitinterconnected to an electric source, said actuating circuit comprisinga first branch having in series connection actuating means for saidclutch and a clutch control switch normally closed during operation ofsaid machine, and a second branch arranged in parallel with said firstbranch and having in series brake actuating means and a brake controlswitch normally open during operation of said machine, said controllingcircuit comprising a first circuit portion having in series a startswitch for closing said first circuit portion and a stop switch foropening the same and being biased towards closure position, and relaymeans for said brake control switch and for said clutch control switchof said actuating circuit, and a second circuit portion in parallel withthat part of said first circuit portion which includes said stop switch,said second circuit portion including a timing switch being operable forperiodically interrupting said second circuit portion and being indriven connection from said main shaft, a brake release switch connectedin series With said brake control switch in said second branch, saidbrake release switch being normally closed during operation of themachine and including a mechanism for delayed opening, a first relay forsaid brake release switch being interconnected with said relay means insaid first circuit portion, a restraining switch connected in serieswith said timing switch in said second circuit portion, said restrainingswitch being normally closed during continued operation of the machineand including a mechanism for delayed closing, and a second relay forsaid restraining switch being connected with said relay means in saidfirst circuit portion, said electric source being a source ofalternating current, a rectifier connected to said electric source, saidactuating circuit being connected to said rectifier for receivingtherefrom direct current, and said controlling circuit being connectedto said electric source for receiving alternating culrent therefrom.

8. A knitting machine comprising, in combination: a power drive, arotatable main shaft, a clutch arranged between and operatively engagedwith said power drive and said main shaft, first electrical controlmeans associated with said clutch for rendering same ineffective so asto disengage said power drive from said main shaft, a braking deviceconnected with said main shaft, a sec ond electrical control meansassociated with said braking device for rendering same active so as tostop said main shaft, a rotatable timing switch driven by said mainshaft, said timing switch including a member of insulating materialattached to said main shaft, 21 ring of electrically conductive materialattached to one side of said member, a ring sector of electricallyconductive material attached to the other side of said member, a portionof insulating material between the ends of said ring sector, meanselectrically connecting said ring and said ring sector with each other,a first stationary contact element in contacting engagement with saidring, and a second stationary contact element arranged for contactingengagement with said ring sector and said portion of insulatingmaterial, said second stationary contact element being operativelyconnectable to said first and second electrical control means, wherebysaid timing switch is opened when said second stationary contact elementis in contact with said portion of insulating material, and closed whensaid second stationary contact element is in contact with said ringsector attached to the other side of said member attached to said mainshaft so that said timing switch controls the initiation of said firstand second electrical control means at the same predetermined angularposition of said main shaft, and a manually operable stop switch havinga first terminal and a second terminal being connected, respectively,with said first and second stationary contact elements of said timingswitch, said stop switch presetting said first and second electricalcontrol means in condition for an actuation by said timing switch whenthe latter is in position for actuation.

9. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 8, the free end of said mainshaft being provided with a threaded bore extending in the direction ofits longitudinal axis, said member of insulating material being designedas a disc-like member engaged with the end of said main shaft, a settingmember secured to said disc-like member, said setting member and saiddis-like members being provided, respectively, with center apertures incoaxial alignment with said threaded bore of said main shaft, and atightening means passing through said apertures, said tightening meansbeing screwed into said threaded bore and being engaged with saidsetting member for holding said disc-like member in a preset positionrelative to said main shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS905,131 Bacon Dec. 1, 1908 1,993,413 Mellon Mar. 5, 1935 2,018,720Hodgson Oct. 29, 1935 2,133,161 Colbert Oct. 11, 1938 2,176,897 FodorOct. 24, 1939 2,395,772 Winther Feb. 26, 1946 2,471,505 Winther May 31,1949 2,494,349 Mittermaier Jan. 10, 1950 2,577,882 Foster Dec. 11, 19512,600,667 Mason June 17, 1952 2,672,067 Hansell Mar. 16, 1954 FOREIGNPATENTS 334,829 Great Britain Sept. 11, 1930 450,582 Germany Oct. 10,1927

